News & Events

Women Lawyers Group Sponsors Family for holidays

| December 16, 2015

For the sixth year, the Women Lawyers Committee and the Lebanon County Bar Association have sponsored a needy family by providing toys, food and toiletries. The families were referred anonymously by staff at Lebanon County Children and Youth Services, which delivered the gifts on their behalf.

The department provided information on the family, such as number of children and their ages, so that the committee could purchase appropriate gifts. They purchased toys, clothes and bedding for the families. Gift cards to local stores were also included for the family.

In the photo are Attorney Heather Eggert, Brittney Gardner from Lebanon County Children and Youth Services, Attorney Amy Leonard and Attorney Roberta Santiago.

Adopt A family photo 2015

Attorneys donate to Lebanon Rescue Mission

| December 14, 2015

Members of the Lebanon County Bar Association donated $500.00 to the Lebanon Rescue Mission recently. The organization’s mission is to “serve through shelter, nourishment, clothing, education and healthcare” and its ministries include a men’s shelter, Agape Family Shelter, and Lebanon Free Clinic.

Rescue Mission photo 2015PHOTO: Rescue Mission Executive Director Susan Spahr, second from left, accepts a check from attorneys, from left, Andrew Morrow, Heather Eggert, and Loreen Burkett, members of the Lebanon County Bar Association Public Relations Committee. 

Attorney John Gragson Receives Pro Bono Award

| November 24, 2015

John Gragson, Esq., recently received the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s William H. G. Warner Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award.

The annual award, named for the late William H.G. Warner, Esq., recognizes an attorney who is committed to providing legal services to the public and to helping to make pro bono legal service what it is today in Lebanon County.

In Lebanon County in 2014, 63 attorneys provided Pro Bono service to 284 clients through MidPenn Legal Services. The total number of hours of service donated during 2014 was 1,761.63, in the following types of cases: Custody, Divorce, Unemployment Compensation, Bankruptcy, Child Support, and Protection from Abuse.

Gragson has been practicing law for 17 years, beginning his career in North Carolina and moving to Pennsylvania in 2004.

“I spent four and a half years working full time for Legal Aid in North Carolina,” Gragson said. “I know how much they need the help. They just don’t have the resources they need to help all the individuals who need it.”

Gragson handles mostly unemployment compensation and landlord/tenant cases through MidPenn Legal Services. He is the staff attorney for the Lebanon County Domestic Relations Office, and maintains a part time private practice as well. 

 

Five attorneys join Bar Association

| November 18, 2015

The Lebanon County Bar Association welcomed five new attorney members during its recent annual membership meeting.

Elliott Katz, Esquire, is an attorney with the Public Defender’s Office. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Trinity College, and his Law Degree from Widener School of Law, Delaware. His primary area of practice is criminal defense.

Melissa Kelso, Esquire, is an attorney with the firm of Reilly Wolfson. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from King’s College and her Law Degree from University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Her primary area of practice is labor and employment, and litigation. 

Andrew Race, Esquire, is an attorney with the firm of Reilly Wolfson. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Pennsylvania State University and his Law Degree from Widener University Law School, Harrisburg. His areas of practice include workers’ compensation, personal injury, family law, criminal defense, and social security disability.

Matthew Martin, Esq., is a Law Clerk for the Hon. Samuel A. Kline, County Judge. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Bloomsburg University and his Law Degree from Widener University. 

Nicholas Matash, Esquire, is the Managing Attorney of MidPenn Legal Services’ Lebanon Office. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Bloomsburg University, and his Law Degree from Widener University Law School.

Law Exploring Program for High School Students

| August 31, 2015

The Lebanon County Bar Association will hold an Open House for students interested in joining its Law Exploring Program on Tuesday, September 22 from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. in the Lebanon County Bar Association office at 547 South Tenth Street, Lebanon (lower level of Northwest Bank).  

Run by local attorneys, the Law Exploring Program is a hands-on program designed for high school students who are interested in learning more about law careers. The most popular Law & Government Exploring careers include:

Attorney / Lawyer

Military careers

Judge

Paralegal assistant

Politician

Urban Planner

The program is open to any young person between the ages of 14 and 20 (must have completed the 8th grade) who is interested in learning more about law careers. Students will hear from interesting speakers and learn about related careers such as judges and paralegals. They will have the opportunity to earn a prize by entering an essay contest. There is a nominal cost to participate in the program.    

Plenty of free parking is available at the back entrance. Students should use the back entrance to the building.

For more information or directions contact Susan Wolf at 273-3113 or lebcobar@verizon.net. Exploring is a national non-profit career exploration program, which is open to both young men and women. For general information about the Exploring Program check out the national website at www.learning-for-life.org and click on Exploring.

New members welcomed to Bar Association

| May 21, 2015

The Lebanon County Bar Association welcomed six new attorney members during a recent membership meeting.

Nathan M. Charles, Esq., is an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, National Security Division. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from The United States Naval Academy in 2001 and his J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law in 2012.

William J. Dunn, Jr., Esq., is an attorney with the Pennsylvania National Guard, 28th Infantry Division. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Pennsylvania State University in 2001, and his J.D. from Widener University School of Law (Harrisburg) in 2006.

Blake A. Eilers, Esq., is a law clerk for the honorable Judge Bradford Charles. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Grove City College in 2010 and his J.D. from University of Dayton in 2013. 

Jared L. Hinsey, Esq., is an attorney in the Public Defender’s office. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Penn State University in 2009 and his J.D. from New York Law School in 2013.

Richard A. Raiders, Esq., is the owner of Raiders Law and Environment LLC, with an office in Annville. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from University of Oklahoma in 1984, and his J.D. from Temple University Law School in 2012.

Danielle A. Thomasco, Esq., is currently looking for work in the areas of family and civil law. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from LaSalle University in 1999, and her J.D. from Temple Law in 2004.

Lebanon County to Celebrate Law Day

| March 3, 2015

The public is invited to celebrate citizenship and the rule of law at the annual Law Day and Naturalization Ceremony, Friday, May 1 at 2:00 p.m. in Courtroom No. 1 of the Lebanon Municipal Building, 400 South Eighth Street, Lebanon.

Law Day is designed to bring judges, lawyers and schools together to teach students about the law and the legal system, and to celebrate the American heritage of liberty, justice and equality. This year’s theme is “Magna Carta: Symbol of Freedom Under Law.” In the eight centuries that have elapsed since Magna Carta was sealed in 1215, it has taken root as an international symbol of the rule of law and as an inspiration for many basic rights Americans hold dear today, including due process, habeas corpus, trial by jury, and the right to travel.

The event will include guest speaker Dr. Philip Benesch, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Law and Society Program at Lebanon Valley College, as well as special music by the Lebanon High School Chamber Singers Choir, and presentations from Daughters of the American Revolution, League of Women Voters and B’nai Brith. Also, new U.S. citizens will be sworn in, and four attorneys will be admitted to the Lebanon County Bar.

President Judge John C. Tylwalk will present an award to the winner of the essay contest for participants in the high school students’ Law Exploring Program. Receiving an award will be Ezra Daniel, a senior at Palmyra Area High School.